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The Meaning of Believing in Jesus and Its Fruit
(John14:8-14)
Mari Yoshino
Today we continue with the Gospel of John, reading from 14:8-14. This passage begins with one of the disciples, who could not quite grasp who Jesus was, asking Him a question. Jesus’ response teaches us what it means to know Him and thereby know God, and what faith truly is. Furthermore, Jesus also reveals what we gain through having faith. As usual, let’s read it bit by bit. First, verses 8-9.
A. Knowing God through Jesus
1. We desire to see God’s face directly (8-9)
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Many people today may find it difficult to believe in the existence of God because they have never seen Him. Or perhaps, even if such a being exists, they feel no direct connection and therefore have little interest. Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, asked Him a question that resonates with this modern sensibility. The Old Testament contains accounts of God appearing directly before people in the form of light or fire and speaking to them. Philip likely wanted to say that if Jesus could show them God’s form in a similar way, he could believe that Jesus was the Son of God.
But Jesus’ response was somewhat unexpected. “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?” he said, sounding a little disappointed. Then he continued, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” What Jesus meant was that there is only one way to see God: To see Jesus. Seeing Jesus means understanding God.
Many people today may find it difficult to believe in the existence of God because they have never seen Him. Or perhaps, even if such a being exists, they feel no direct connection and therefore have little interest. Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, asked Him a question that resonates with this modern sensibility. The Old Testament contains accounts of God appearing directly before people in the form of light or fire and speaking to them. Philip likely wanted to say that if Jesus could show them God’s form in a similar way, he could believe that Jesus was the Son of God.
But Jesus’ response was somewhat unexpected. “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?” he said, sounding a little disappointed. Then he continued, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” What Jesus meant was that there is only one way to see God: To see Jesus. Seeing Jesus means understanding God.
These words are also directed at us living in the modern age. If you think, “If only I could see God directly, then I could believe in His existence,” God’s response is this: “Didn’t I already reveal myself as a man named Jesus? Look closely at Jesus.” But how can we see someone who lived two thousand years ago? The clue lies in Jesus’s continuing words. Let’s move on to verses 10-11.
2. Knowing God through the words and deeds of Jesus (10-11)
10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
This is a bit philosophical and difficult, but what Jesus is saying is that He and God are one, and that we should believe this by observing His words and deeds. In other words, His words and deeds reveal who God is. Furthermore, considering that these words were directed at the disciples who had journeyed with Jesus, I believe this means more than just observing Jesus’ public teachings and miraculous works. It also means to know God through Jesus’ character and through our personal interactions with Him.
We can no longer see Jesus in a visible form. Therefore, the way we come to know Jesus’ words and deeds is by reading the Bible. Specifically, this means reading the Bible on our own, listening to the Sunday worship message, and discussing the content of the Bible and worship messages with family and friends.
Furthermore, the way to experience Jesus’ character and have personal interactions with Him is found within the community of the church. Within the community of people who live by faith in Jesus, His love, forgiveness, and healing from the cross are also realized in our relationships with one another. (Otherwise, a church ceases to be a church.) Through the experience of being loved and forgiven by others, we come to feel intimately the presence of the One behind them—the foundational power—rather than seeing it as merely something given by that person alone. There is also the joy of striving to love someone as God loves them, witnessing how that love truly reaches them and transforms them. These experiences allow us to feel that the invisible Jesus is truly alive and to sense that the power of God, whom we have never seen, is indeed at work.
Knowing Jesus and believing that God is love gives us hope for living and becomes the power that guides us. If you have not yet experienced this, or if you have forgotten it, please experience Jesus for yourself through the Bible and the church.
Now let’s read the latter part. The latter part further explains what we gain by believing in Jesus. First, let’s read verse 12.
B. What we gain by believing in Jesus
1. Participating in God’s great work (12)
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
As Jesus says here, if we live by believing in Him, we will be involved in something far greater than we could ever expect. It is said to be the works Jesus did, and even greater things than these. For it is said, “Because I am going to the Father.” I believe this refers to the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. And this enabled them to carry on Jesus’ ministry, taking the work of preaching to distant lands where Jesus Himself could not go.
The same promise is made to us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can love others as Jesus loved and carry out the work of proclaiming to this world that God is good. This is possible not by our own strength, but because God’s love transforms us and guides us in the direction we should go. Therefore, walking in trust with Jesus means gaining the privilege of experiencing the living, active love of God.
But God’s work of love isn’t only about abandoning all our present lives to go preach on the other side of the world, or working for peace in conflict zones. While some are called to such missions, more often we are called to witness within our daily lives, among those closest to us. In the hearts of those who hold onto hope even in sorrow. When smiles return to those who were suffering. When people who hurt each other find mutual forgiveness. Among those who grieve with the grieving and rejoice with the joyful as if it were their own. These are indeed the works of Jesus living within us, and they are greater than anything Jesus Himself did.
Regarding this matter, something even more important is stated in the last two verses today. Let us read verses 13-14.
2. Experiencing the power of prayer (13-14)
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” Because Jesus said this, we use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” when we pray in church. But of course, this phrase isn’t just something to be used as a set formula. What do you think it means to “pray in the name of Jesus”? I believe it refers to “prayers worthy of Jesus’ name.” Whether a prayer is worthy of Jesus’ name has nothing to do with whether the words are well-crafted or impressive; it is entirely a matter of our attitude. It is the attitude of saying, “ I offer this prayer, exalting Jesus above all others and above all else.”
Therefore, while we may ask Jesus for anything, we must never forget to trust that ultimately, it is better for us when God’s will is done rather than our own desires. God knows what is best for us. Sometimes, suffering that seems far from good, or things that are obviously wrong, happen to us. So, we can pray to be delivered from them, and we cannot help but pray. Even so, God’s thoughts are different from ours, and God sees things we cannot see. And everything is used for a good purpose. Above all, Jesus Himself says here, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” He teaches us that God will bring about what He considers best at the best time, and that God will surely answer our prayers.
Living by trusting in Jesus means gaining the privilege of experiencing the power of prayer. When we speak of the power of prayer, it’s often misunderstood as referring to how fervent our prayers are. But I think it’s better described as the power to entrust our requests to God. It’s the power to trust that even when things don’t go our way, God will surely guide us toward what is good. Isn’t it truly wonderful that through this, we can look forward to the unexpected ways God reveals His plans? And having the church family waiting together for God’s answer is an encouragement like no other. We pray for one another, and in doing so, we confirm together that God is good, and we praise Him together. This is the path God has given us—a path of hope and joy that never ends.
(Prayer) Lord Jesus, we thank You for coming into this world and showing us how we should live. Through Your sacrifice, You enabled us to live as we are, praising You. In times of uncertainty, when sorrow overwhelms us, help us to trust in You. For this, place friends beside us who can support one another. Also, use each of us to become such a presence for our own families and friends. Use the people of this church. Lord Jesus, trusting in You, giving thanks to You, we pray in Your name. Amen.
Summary
Many people may think they cannot believe God because they have never seen Him. But the words and deeds of Jesus recorded in the Bible reveal God’s truth. Moreover, God’s love and healing power are manifested in the work of the church, the community of those who believe in Jesus. Those who personally verify this and believe are given the power to carry on God’s great work through Jesus. And those who live praising Jesus are granted the experience of God answering their prayers.
For Discussion
1) What does it mean for us to do greater things than what Jesus did?
2) What does it mean, when Jesus says “I will do whatever you ask in my name”?